AHT ribbon heating is a thin electric system for compatible floor finishes. It can provide primary heat when the fitted output meets the room’s heat loss. Mats start at £50; plan the complete floor construction and controls before ordering.
Compare the selected products and their complete installation requirements for the same room.
| Feature | EkoBuild Ribbon | Traditional Cable | Water-Based Pipes |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary heat source | Subject to room heat-loss design | Subject to room heat-loss design | Subject to room heat-loss design |
Element spacing | Flat ribbon heating layout | Product-specific cable layout | Product-specific pipe layout |
Profile thickness | 1.8mm mat; allow for all floor layers | Check the complete build-up | Check the complete build-up |
Subfloor screed required | Dry build-ups possible; check floor finish | Dry and screeded products exist | Dry and screeded products exist |
Operating temperature | Flooring and control limits apply | Flooring and control limits apply | Flooring and control limits apply |
Heat-up time | Depends on floor and starting temperature | Depends on floor and starting temperature | Depends on floor and starting temperature |
Compatible floor products | Use approved flooring and build-up | Use approved flooring and build-up | Use approved flooring and build-up |
Running fuel | Electricity; thermostat controlled | Electricity; thermostat controlled | Depends on the heat source |
Installation | Mat laying and qualified electrical work | Product-specific fitting and electrical work | Pipework, controls and heat-source installation |
Retrofit suitable | Check floor height and heating design | Check floor height and heating design | Check floor height and heating design |
Warranty | AHT certificate and purchase terms apply | Check the chosen product’s terms | Check the chosen product’s terms |
Quick rules for fitters and DIYers. Start with the right floor build-up, layout and electrical checks.
The printable quick guide covers the key fitting checks. Read it alongside the full guide and supplied manufacturer instructions.
Download the quick fitting guide (PDF)Ribbon heating can provide a primary heat source when the complete installation is designed for the room. Confirm the subfloor, floor finish and available heated area before choosing the system.
Confirm the floor manufacturer’s heating approval, thermal resistance and temperature limit. The correct floor build-up depends on the chosen finish.
Outdoor and snow-melt applications need equipment specifically approved for that use. Ask Russell before selecting a product.
Solar generation and battery storage may supply some heating electricity. The benefit depends on your system, demand and tariff.
The Ribbon uses electricity rather than water pipes or a boiler. Check the floor construction, controls and heat loss for each room.
Ask about your space →Compare the complete heating design for your room. Heat loss, floor construction, controls and electricity use matter whichever system you choose.
Ribbon can provide primary heating when the usable output from the fitted mats meets the room’s calculated heat loss at the permitted floor temperature. Around 70–80% useful coverage is a planning aim, not a pass/fail test. Confirm the complete heating design before removing existing heating.
Running costs depend on the fitted mat area, room heat loss, thermostat on-time and electricity tariff. At full power, each square metre of 150W/m² Ribbon uses 0.15kWh in an hour. Use your tariff and realistic operating assumptions to estimate cost.
Warm-up time depends on the floor build-up, starting temperature, fitted heating and room conditions. Ask about the response you can expect with your chosen flooring.
Reducing heat loss reduces the heating a room needs. Insulation, sensible controls and an appropriate floor build-up matter; the thermostat’s on-time varies with actual conditions.
Meet Russell White, whose experience includes living with ribbon heating and renewable energy in his own home.
Russell White combines experience of flooring, underfloor heating and renewable-energy systems. He uses ribbon heating in his own eco home and helps customers plan the right floor build-up, heating layout and controls for their property.
EkoBuild supplies ribbon heating and helps customers plan the complete floor construction and controls. Russell draws on his experience with underfloor heating and renewable energy in his own home.
I'm Russell White from EkoBuild. I've spent 30 years working in the contract flooring, 25 years specialising in underfloor heating and 20 years working in renewable energy. I've installed and assessed water, cable, ribbon, underfloor heating, as well as solar panels, heat pumps, biomass boilers and wind turbines. I've also helped develop products, rather than simply fitting what was always available.
See the electricity cost for your chosen heating area, tariff and usage.
Enter your installed mat area and electricity tariff to calculate a usage scenario.
Calculated at 150W/m² while drawing power. Your thermostat switches the heating on and off; scheduled hours do not mean continuous power use. Actual demand depends on heat loss, insulation, weather and your chosen room temperature. This is an electricity calculation, not a prediction of savings or payback.
Design My System →Browse the 0.5m and 1m Ribbon, thermostats, insulation and accessories, or design your exact room first.
Everything you need to make the right decision.
Got questions before you buy? Ask our AI assistant about the Ribbon, current products, floor suitability and planning your room. It uses EkoBuild’s approved product guidance. For project-specific review or help from a person, contact Russell and the team directly.
Ask online • Plan in the Room Designer • Contact the team directly
Check your floor, plan your room and choose the products for your project.
The right installation depends on your exact floor finish, subfloor and the flooring manufacturer’s instructions.
Explore the fitting guides →Use the Room Designer to map your room and fixed obstacles, then review the proposed Ribbon layout and remaining requirements.
Open the Room Designer →Compare current stocked sizes and prices in the shop. Contact EkoBuild if you need help choosing the right products.
Browse the shop →Need help with your project? Contact EkoBuild with your room measurements and flooring details.
Tell us about your project and Russell or the team will review the information and discuss suitable products and the next steps for a no-obligation quote.
A closer look at the demonstration samples. Confirm the complete floor build-up, controls and installation requirements for your chosen products.
